The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last 15 years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

HHTGH - Lightly Fried

I have Douglas's narration of the Book which is a joy - and Now I Have Stephen Fry's which polishes the Diamond.

First - Rest assured thi..Show More »s is a just a reissue of the original - Not a book of the Film. The Film was Ok but not nearly true enough to its sources (Radio Play, Book, TV series - in that order) - This book brings the voice of Fry - who is an excellent narrator (and a close friend of DNA's) into the mix. He brings more life to the book than Douglas did (Douglas was a great speaker - but when it comes to narrating entire books his performance has high and lows) and I recommend this to all. If you havn't heard the story before - First buy the radio series then go back to the books. Buy Fry's narration then go to Douglas' - you will get the best experience that way.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

One Thursday lunchtime the Earth gets unexpectedly demolished to make way for a new hyperspace bypass. For Arthur Dent, who has only just had his house demolished that morning, this seems already to be more than he can cope with.

Stephen Fry is so, so good

This is just so damn British. I’m afraid my enjoyment for this book was enhanced a little too much by nostalgic memories of offbeat britcoms like Blac..Show More »kadder and (especially) Red Dwarf.

Speaking of influences I can’t help but wonder if—the very American—Futurama was partly inspired by Hitchhikers? Did anyone else notice the striking resemblance between Zapp Brannigan and Zaphod Beeblebrox? I had an image of Zapp in my mind every time Zaphod appeared on the page.

But back to Britain… when I learned the critical component of the Infinite Improbability Drive was a cup of hot tea… let’s just say it warmed my heart and provoked a spontaneous, gentle smile.

Apart from being terribly British, it’s also dreadfully amusing and easy-to-read. I loved it.

As for Stephen Fry’s narration of this audio-version --- *sigh* --- the man is a genius and has remained consistently on my list of “Fantasy Dinner Party Invitees” for the last 15 years so—obviously I would like to hack into the Audible website and somehow assign a sixth star in the category of “performance”.

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Book 2

Facing annihilation at the hands of the warlike Vogons is a curious time to have a craving for tea. It could only happen to the cosmically displaced Arthur Dent and his curious comrades in arms as they hurtle across space powered by pure improbability, and desperately in search of a place to eat.

awesome... except for the voice of Zaphod

This book is beautifully read with the screeching halt exception of Zaphod Beeblebrox. For unknown reasons the narrator chose to read this character ..Show More »as a stereotypical New York thug. Think Rocky Balboa and you'll have it. Other than that, the book is excellent.

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

If you’ve done six impossible things this morning, why not round it off with breakfast at Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe? Which is exactly what the crew of the Heart of Gold plan to do. There’s just the small matter of escaping the Vogons, avoiding being taken to the most totally evil world in the Galaxy and teaching a space ship how to make a proper cup of tea. And did anyone actually make a reservation?

Life, the Universe, and Everything: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Book 3

The unhappy inhabitants of planet Krikkit are sick of looking at the night sky above their heads, so they plan to destroy it. The universe, that is. Now only five individuals stand between the white killer robots of Krikkit and their goal of total annihilation.

It's my favorite of the series

This book started out as meast least favorite of the series, but has grown on me ever since. It's now my favorite and, in my opinion, is Adams' most ..Show More »creative Hitchhiker book. Martin Freeman is a top rate narrator. He is much more versatile in his voice acting than I would have thought, has unique voices for each character, and is highly entertaining. I highly recommend this book, or any of this series.

Life, the Universe, and Everything

In consequence of a number of stunning catastrophes, Arthur Dent is surprised to find himself living in a hideously miserable cave on prehistoric Earth. However, just as he thinks that things cannot get possibly worse, they suddenly do. He discovers that the Galaxy is not only mind-boggingly big and bewildering but also that most of the things that happen in it are staggeringly unfair.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish

Back on Earth with nothing more to show for his long, strange trip through time and space than a ratty towel and a plastic shopping bag, Arthur Dent is ready to believe that the past eight years were all just a figment of his stressed-out imagination.

Loved this one the best out of the 6

Have listened to it several times already!!!! Favorite of the 6 Hitch hiker books!!!

Reviewed on September 11 2012
by Connie
(WINDHAM, CONNECTICUT, United States)

So Long and Thanks for All the Fish

There is a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. It’s not an easy thing to do and Arthur Dent thinks he’s the only human who’s been able to master this nifty little trick - until he meets Fenchurch, the girl of his dreams. Fenchurch knows how the world could be made a good and happy place. Unfortunately she’s forgotten. Convinced that the secret lies within God’s Final Message to His Creation they go in search of it. And in a dramatic break with tradition - actually find it....

Mostly Harmless

It's not just a trilogy any more. In the fifth book of this popular series, Arthur Dent makes the terrible mistake of starting to enjoy life, and immediately all hell breaks loose. In short, it's up to him to save the world from total multi-dimensional obliteration, the Guide from a hostile alien takeover, and the daughter he never knew he had, from herself. A tall order, to say the least. And one he's really not up to, thank you very much.

Love Hitchiking

Hitchhiker is just plain fun. I loved the series when i was young. I read it in college, and again in Med school, and again when i started reading f..Show More »or pleasure again, and now I am going to listen to them all.
I cannot wait. I just wish Douglas was alive for more, but I am about to read Coffer's installment (or try) for a 6th book in the series.

Mostly Harmless

Arthur Dent hadn't had a day as bad as this since the Earth had been blown up. Depressed and alone, Arthur finally settles on the small planet Lamuella and becomes a sandwich maker. Looking forward to a quiet life, his plans are thrown awry by the unexpected arrival of his daughter. There’s nothing worse than a frustrated teenager with a copy of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in their hands. When she runs away, Arthur goes after her determined to save her from the horrors of the universe. After all - he’s encountered most of them before.… Volume Five in the Trilogy of Five.

And Another Thing...: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Book 6

Arthur Dent's accidental association with that wholly remarkable book, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, has not been entirely without incident.Arthur has traveled the length, breadth, and depth of known, and unknown, space. He has stumbled forward and backward through time. He has been blown up, reassembled, cruelly imprisoned, horribly released, and colorfully insulted more than is strictly necessary.

A delightful return to the H2G2 Universe

To get the obvious out of the way, Eoin Colfer is not Douglas Adams. The writing style of this new book is not quite the same as the first 5. That b..Show More »eing said it is very clear that Eoin was immersed in the original material and does a very credible tribute to the work of Douglas Adams. With Simon Jones reading it was at almost possible to forget that this book was not penned by Douglas himself.
Now on to the book itself, we start where Mostly Harmless left off; Earth is just about to end again. And Author is about to take off on a new trip around the universe with many of the old favorite characters either joining or making a cameo appearance.
Like the previous reviewer, my only complaint is that the book references the previous 5 books too often and in ways that does not flow well. I found myself often being broken out of the story with some far too unnecessary self reference. It is a odd sensation to be both slightly annoyed because I was jarred out of the flow, yet fondly remembering the original.
Overall, I would say if you are a fan of the original series by Douglas Adams, you will love this last revisit of universe where 42 means everything. If you are not familiar with Douglas Adams, what is wrong with you? Audible has nearly his complete works right here. Go listen The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and then come back to this book.
To Eoin Colfer fans, which is a group I count myself in. This is neither Artemis Fowl nor intended for a child audience. Do not purchase for your kids by mistake. On the other hand if like myself you read Eoin Colfer because despite his books being listed for kids, you find them witty, fun, and exciting, I think you will quite enjoy this new book, but I would still recommend that you listen to the original stories first.

And Another Thing...: Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Part Six of Three

An Englishman's continuing search through space and time for a decent cup of tea....Arthur Dent's accidental association with that wholly remarkable book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has not been entirely without incident. Arthur has travelled the length, breadth and depth of known, and unknown, space. He has stumbled forwards and backwards through time.

Froody Madness

Eoin Colfer has done a splendid job of keeping the goofiness alive, and Simon Jones should be congratulated for a superb narration.

Liste..Show More »ning to this book brought back fond memories of listening to the previous Douglas Adams H2G2 books, and I enjoyed the wacky stories and the sense of deja vu created by the plot. I enjoyed the humour but felt that the god-bashing was a little overdone, but not gratuitous. I guess it was required by the plot, and raised some interesting philosophical questions, which I enjoyed.

This book doesn't feel like a sequel or a "keep the successful formula going" effort. It has plenty of original ideas and feels fresh and froody. I think it brings the series to an elegant close, and it will take a brave man to write part 7.